Thank you for visiting our forum. As a guest, you have limited access to view some discussion and articles. By joining our free community, you will be able to view all discussions and articles, post your own topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload photos, participate in Pick'Em contests and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free, so please join our community today!!

Saw Irmo play RV last night at Irmo. McKie dropped 22 points and could get to the rim anytime he wanted. He has great court awareness and plays really focused. Didn't see any mental lapses. He needs to work on his strength. A few times he got the ball stripped as he was going up for a shot on the interior.

He's has alot to improve on, but he has the mentality and focus to be a really good player. I think Martin can make him a steady contributor early.

Talking about rebounds - what surprised me about Justin was his length. The TV people had him at 6' 5', and while that might have been inflated a little, he looked to be a legit 6' 4". His dad was listed at 6' 3" but was more like 6' 2" and had to rely on his strength to draw fouls when he penetrated. The lack of physical size and athleticism is why his game did not translate to the NBA.

Justin is not as strong or polished but his length and athleticism tops his dad. If I remember, BJ scored something like 36 points in the state championship game. Justin came out the same way - had 14 in the first half, half of his team's total and the same as Goose Creek's team total. I think he plays early - might make it easier to part with Leonard, though I think Leonard could be a player if he gets his head on straight. Justin can hit the three also, but is a better athlete than Leonard and has a more well-rounded offensive game - can penetrate to the basket and pull up for his jumper off the dribble. I think he can be very good for us and am amazed that he is not getting more attention from the media.

Irmo coach Tim Whipple has won four state championships during his 32-year career, and a McKie has been on the roster for three of them.

He has seen the 17-year-old Justin fight out of the shadow of being BJ’s son.

“I think where they are the same is their work ethic, their heart and their drive,” Whipple said. “They just refuse to lose. That’s something you can’t teach. You are born with that. It’s a lot of fun watching Justin handle the pressure that goes along with being BJ’s son. That’s not an easy thing. No matter what you do or where you are, you’re being compared. He’s handled it extremely well.”